The Cartographer - Hangman's Noose

Game Master The Cartographer

Trevor mops his forehead as he flees from the ghost. Well....I guess I was wrong about being able to convince her to act otherwise.

Trevor will go third.
Oh dear, I believe we still won't be able to escape this way.

Carrie follows closely behind Zinli as she ascends, aiding her in breaking through the wooden hatch at the top of the stairs. Once in the tower, she brushes off any excess dirt or debris from the act.

"The bell could always ring then fall," Carrie muses as she looks over the rusted bell. She reaches out and raps on the metal with the back of her hand.

"Indeed, it could multi-task! Good job on the optimisme!" Zinli exclaims, without a hint of sarcasm.

Battle Map

(I have moved everyone from the open chamber to the hallway next to the stairs. Starting with the PCs first, then the NPCs. The spiral staircase is 20-ft of difficult terrain.)

As Zinli, Carrie & Trevor look around the bell tower… concerned with the bell ringing or falling, they hear a skittering coming from above the tower itself. Skittering down from around the ledge of the roof into this belfry is a human-sized creature that looks like a cross between a large bat and a giant mosquito. Its wings are leathery and gray and its skin is drawn tight across its bones. The creature has eight pincer-like legs and a long needle-like snout. Its eyes glow pale blue. (Entering combat rounds)

Initiative: Round 1
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Zinli, Tolbold, Trevor you are up. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -3 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Zinli moves closer, and shoots the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

As Tolbold heads up the stairs he hears a loud boom and the sees the creature at the top. Reflexively he sends a ray of acid at it.

Acid Ray: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

If it is a double move up then all he does is move.

Trevor steps up and holds his rapier ready, seeing if it attacks him

Rapier: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d6 ⇒ 2
Crit check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 ⇒ 1

Battle Map

(Trevor, I moved you up to be beside the creature. Tolbold, it is difficult terrain and would be a double move. Don’t save the roll on your next attack.)

Zinli shoots at the creature and it ricochets off of the stone supports. Knocking some of it free from the mortar. Tolbold makes it up the stairs in time to see Trevor move forward and sees the man’s rapier slide smoothly into the flesh of the creature. Trevor thinks his attack lands on a critical organ, but realizes it didn’t (-2 HP creature)

The creature lets out a high-pitched shriek that even those on the floor below hears. It lashes out with its mosquito like nose and punch through Trevor’s clothing and armor and stabs into him. Trevor feels something inter into him and his feet and arms begin to slowly become numb a heavy. (Trevor, give me a DC 13 fortitude save. Otherwise your limbs completely lose their feeling as you become paralyzed, helplessly frozen in place. -4 HP)

Initiative: Round 1
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Neronius & Carrie you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -3 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Ow! Run away!

Carrie darts around the bell when she hears the fighting begin. She hesitates for a moment upon seeing the disgusting bat-bug with its proboscis pierced into Trevor, and lets out a rather loud groan of revulsion.

Not wanting to touch the thing with her hands, Carrie lashes out with a kick.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Neronius calls up from below. "Is that a bell tower? They must be open air! Defeat whatever noxious threat is there and then we can fashion a long rope for rescue!"

Total defense.

Battle Map

Carrie moves forward and attacks, it could be her discomfort with touching the creature, but her attack misses.

As Neronius calls out to those above, Rekkart moves past the man; “Move! Do you not hear they need aid?” (Rekkart double moves up the stairs and gets to the creature while drawing his blade.)
Rekkart K-Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

“Whatever this thing is, it must die!”

Ebin begins to climb the stairs, but doesn’t quite make it. “A bell tower? Why did the bell start a fight with the clock? It wanted to prove it had better timing…” He begins laughing to himself. (Inspire Courage, +1 attack & damage)

Killian shouts up; “Clear the stairs and we can all help!”

(Round 2)

Initiative: Round 2
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Zinli, Tolbold & Trevor you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -3 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

No access to map right now, so Trevor will withdraw south so to get out of claw range

Tolbold moves forward some for a better shot and throws a jet of acid at the creature.

Acid Ray Into Melee: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Zinli takes a step back to reload.

Battle Map

(Round 2 - Baric Music still active +1 Attack/DMG)
Trevor withdraws away from the mosquito like nose of the creature and positions his new friends between him and the creature.

Tolbold blast an acid ray at the creature (I think you put -1 instead of +1, either way it hits.) and the acid lightly singes the creature’s leathery wings (-2 HP).

Stepping back, Zinli reloads her gun.

With no one near it that has damaged it, the creature bites out
1 Rekkart 2 Carrie: 1d2 ⇒ 1

It’s bite lands, hitting a bare spot where his armor doesn’t protect him (-5 HP) with wince he shakes off the same numbness that Trevor felt moments before. Steel in hand, he takes a swing at the creature. The creature is too fast and ducks away from his blow.

Initiative: Round 2
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Neronius & Carrie you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Battle Map

Tolbold blast an acid ray at the creature (I think you put -1 instead of +1, either way it hits.) and the acid lightly singes the creature’s leathery wings (-2 HP).

I think I really screwed that one up. It should have been -4 for shooting into melee. I didn't have the inspire courage at all, that would be +1 to hit and damage. The +1 there is point blank shot. I need to rework that in my character sheet.

Carrie grits her teeth and swiftly delivers a straight kick, hoping to crush the beast against the wall of the bell tower with the sole of her boot.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Hearing no response to his query about escape except the sounds of continued combat, Neronius sighs heavily. With one ponderous foot after another, he trudges up the steps and into the bell tower. Ignoring the melee in one corner, he wheezes his way over to the nearest window and looks down.

Double move.

Battle Map

(Tolbold – I’m not going to worry about it, just make sure you have all the right math in there for attack/damage moving forward. All is well.)

(Round 2)
Carrie’s kick lands, causing the creature to flinch and draws its attention towards her (-2 HP). Neronius moves up and to the side making way for more of the other jury members to join. Ebin continues his jokes; “What do you call a bell that rings for no reason? A ding-dong!” (Inspire Courage continues. +1 Attack/Damage) Laughing as he moves around the bell and draws his sling. Killian also ascends the stairs drawing a dagger.

(Round 3)

Initiative: Round 3
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Zinli, Tolbold & Trevor you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Tobold throws some more acid at the creature hoping to melt it away.

Ray of Frost Acid PBS IC Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 19 Damage: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Trevor moves up and tries to help their paladin comrade stay safe.

Aid another DC 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

+2 AC granted.

Zinli repositions herself beneath the bell to get a clearer angle 10 ft move, and fires at the creature again.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

She looks at her pistol in disbelief. "Aw, come on, Baby, what's wrong with you right now?!"

She gives the pistol an experimental tap and waves it a bit - the only scientifically approved method to deal with a malfunctioning piece of technology.

Battle Map

(Zinli – unless I am missing it, I’m not seeing Precise Shot as a feat you have. Make sure you put the -4 for firing into combat. An 11 misses either way you slice it.)

(Round 3)
Tolbold’s Ray of Acid easily hits the leathery looking creature, continuing to singe its wings (-4 HP). It looks at Tolbold and eyes those blocking his way from the halfling. Trevor moves forward and aids Rekkart; “Iomedae’s blessings upon you my friend!” he says to Trevor as the battle continues on. With a thunderclap ringing off the bell in this tower Zinli’s slug hits the structure of this tower beside the creature, missing its target.

Though it attacked out at Rekkart last time, the flying creature does not forget the kick Carrie delivered to it. It lunges its proboscis towards the pugilist. But in its flurry of anger the creature misses its attack.

Initiative: Round 3
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Neronius, Carrie & NPCs you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Confident the six people surrounding the creature will be able to take it down, Neronius turns his attention to the opening in the wall.

Total Defence, and looking down through the opening. How wide is it and how far down is the street/roof below?

Deftly dodging the beast's attempt to impale her, Carrie uses the opening to try to smash her elbow into its head. But in her haste, she misses utterly.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Trevor tries helping the paladin strike the creature by waving his rapier at it

Aid Another attack DC 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Battle Map

(Neronius – it doesn’t exactly say. It is overly ornate and the first floor great hall says that there are enormous marble pillars holding aloft balconies. I would say that the first level would have 20-ft ceilings, the second floor is a standard size so 8-ft ceilings. It’s 20-ft up to the belfry because it stands higher than the apartment room at the other end. So I’ll just say it’s a 60-ft drop. Again… it doesn’t say.)

(Round 3)
Neronius stands back eyeing a potential exit to this tower. Carrie attempts to bring a firm elbow down on the creature but misses.

Rekkart swings his blade again, missing the creature. This opens an opportunity for Killian to move forward with his dagger and he finds a spot to plunge it into the side of the winged beast (-4 HP)

Ebin continues telling his jokes; “Why don’t people like working with vampire bats? Because they are a pain in the neck!” (Inspire Courage continues +1 Attack/Damage)

(Round 4)
Trevor attempts to aid Rekkart but is unsuccessful

Initiative: Round 4
Zinli
Tolbold]
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

(Zinli & Tolbold you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Tobold continues to attack the creature with acid. Getting a bit frustrated he yells at the creature "Would you die again already!"

Ray of FrostAcid PBS Melee IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 4 + 1 = 10 Damage: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

"Oh, for f+$!'s sake." Zinli puts her pistol back in its holster, and grabs her pincher. Switching weapons!

Battle Map

(Round 4)
Tolbold’s frustration begins to impact his aim as the ray misses its target. It appears to be spreading as Zinli switches his weapon also.

The creature attacks out at Carrie but misses again. In its own frustration its attention turns to the paladin with a blade.

Initiative: Round 4
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

Neronius, Carrie you are up, followed by the NPCs. What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Carrie smirks as the beast shows its frustration toward her evasive skills, but growls in anger herself as the monster proves just as evasive, "Stay still, damn it!"

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Chucking to himself at having finally found an escape route, Neronius is vexed to see his companions have still not dealt with the infernal creature distracting them. "Stand aside, please," he says to Carrie, as he draws forth the partially-melted ring from his vest pocket and uses it to send a lance of pure fire at the mosquito-like monster. When the beam merely scorches the roof of the bell tower, Neronius purses his lips in annoyance at the artifact.

Spending 1 point of focus on my evocation implement to send an energy ray (fire) at the creature. This is a ranged touch attack, but I don't have precise shot and the creature has soft cover.

Energy Ray of Fire (melee penalty) vs Creature Touch AC w/ Soft Cover: 1d20 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 1 - 4 = 6

Battle Map

(Round 4)
Rekkart slashes out with his blade and it finally finds its way home in the creature (-6 HP). Killian sneaks his dagger into the side of the creature (-4 HP]. From the stairwell a second acid orb flies between all of those surrounding the creature but misses as it flies through the opening. The creature is looking terrible.

(Round 5)

Initiative: Round 5
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

Zinli, Tolbold & Trevor you’re up! What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -8 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Pincher her hand, Zinli steps into melee. Inspire Courage +1 bonus on both rolls

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Trevor tries helping Rekkart again

Aid another, attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The fluid dance of the the melee fight throws Tolbold's aim off again

Ray of Frost Acid PBS Melee IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 - 4 + 1 = 9 Damage: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Battle Map

(Round 5)
Zinli attacks out with her Pincher but the creature is too quick for the gnome. Her attack misses. Trevor uses his Rapier to distract the beast to leave an opening for an attack, it seems like it is working. Tolbold flings another ray of acid that misses its target.

Attention on Rekkart, the creature bites out at him. The attack lands but it looks like Rekkart fights off the sluggishness that follows the creatures attack. (-2 HP)

Initiative: Round 5
Zinli
Tolbold
Trevor
Creature
Neronius
Carrie
NPCs

Neronius & Carrie you’re up followed by the NPCs! What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -10 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Sighing heavily, Neronius again holds up the partially-melted ring to send a lance of acid toward the creature.

Spending another point of focus on my evocation implement (1 left after this) to send an energy ray (fire) at the creature. This is a ranged touch attack, but I don't have precise shot and the creature has soft cover.

Energy Ray of Fire (melee penalty) vs Creature Touch AC w/ Soft Cover: 1d20 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 1 - 4 = 6

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Carrie tries a straight kick once again, "Stupid bug-thing, you go squish now!"

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Battle Map

(Round 5)
Neronius fires off a ray that the creature dodges. Seeing her opportunity Carrie catches the creature in the ribs with a kick. An audible crunch is heard as the winged creature crumples to the ground. (Rounds over)

The sound of the sea crashing in on the shore takes over the sound of battle. Gong, Gong the sound of the clock rings out echoing from the down below. Gong, Gong the sound begins resonating off the bell in the tower itself. Gong, Gong Looking around, is everyone here? Gong, Gong Halgrak is missing. Gong (its 9p)

(What do you do?)

(PCs: Trevor -5 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Carrie -3 HP -4 Wis ~ Tolbold -1 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Zinli -4 Wis)
(NPCs: Rekkart -10 HP ~ Patrissa -3 HP -2 NL ~ Ebin -3 HP -2 NL -4 Wis ~ Killian -1 HP ~ Halgrak -4 Wis)

Trevor pants and looks around. Halgrak!? Halgrak!? Oh no! He hurries down the stairs to see if he can find Halgrak.

Neronius puts the ring--now quite warm to the touch--carefully back in a vest pocket. Disregarding the bell, he chuckles and says, "Well, that was certainly an unpleasant diversion. Now, which one of you more . . . adventurous sorts has a rope? Someone need only shimmy down and summon aid, and this entire ordeal will be over."

"No ro~o~ope!"

"Yeah - where did the big guy go?" Zinli follows Trevor to find Halgrak.

Carrie flashes a rather vicious grin when the beast falls with a satisfying crunch, but it quickly fades as the toll of the grandfather clock rings.

"Uhhh, rope... Yeah, gimme a moment," she mumbles, fidgeting as she watches Trevor and Zinli descend back into the courthouse. Digging through her pack, she retrieves a tangled length of rope, as if she'd just thrown the thing in without coiling it first.

Tossing the mess of a rope to Neronius, she quickly slings her pack onto her back and rushes down the stairs as well, "Here you go, weeeee'll be back in a bit!"

Neronius ties off the rope and tosses the other end over. It still dangles a good 10' above a safe surface--a painful, but probably not lethal, fall. Rubbing his hands with glee, he turns to see most of the others have already raced down the stairs. "Some people have no sense of priorities . . ." he says quietly.

Battle Map

In the Bell Tower
Neronius uses the rope from Carrie and ties it off and it looks like it is secure. Rekkart double checks the rope to make sure it is secure and gives the man a nod. Rekkart’s eyes dart between the man, the dead creature on the ground and the Trevo, Carrie, and Zinli making their way downstairs. They are promptly followed by Ebin, Killian, and Madge. “I’ll wait here with you. There could be more of these things.” the paladin says as he gives the creature a finishing stab. Patrissa also stays behind close beside Rekkart. “I will secure the rope if you want to climb down. Brace yourself against the wall and you should easily be able to make your way down.” (Give me a climb check. Bracing against a wall with a rope is DC 5, roll an 8 or better unless you take off your armor.)

Everyone Making Their Way After Halgrak
You all follow Trevor back to the main room you saw the half-orc in last, the main room of this level. You find him sitting in the middle of the rug near the stairs that lead up to this level. His back is to you and is slowly rocking back and forth, seemingly whispering to himself. As you draw near you hear him singing a familiar nursery rhyme. “This little piggy went to the market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none. This little piggy went wee, wee, wee, all the way home!”

Drawing around him you see that his boot and sock is off. You see a needle and thread next to him and he had crudely sewed his missing toes back onto his foot. The putrefied digits seem to have taken root on his toes and the discoloring begins to spread to his foot. Pus and rot spreads as his flesh begins to die. It is slowly moving towards his ankle. Turning to the group, milky dead eyes stair at you; “Wee, wee, wee, all the way home.” standing up, the rotting toes fall off. “All the way home.” Lurching forward, the rot begins to spread up past his ankle; “Home!”

(What do you do?)

Trevor is flabbergated! Nononononononono! Curse me for not noticing you leaving!

He turns to the others. I hate to do this, but we must sever the rotting part! Use the axe we found! Trevor will grab the axe. Hold him down!

"Hold him down?! He's twice my size!" Zinli looks expectantly at Carrie. "I've grabbed a couple of hand bracelets earlier," she says, dropping her pincher. "I think it'll fit him just fine."

"Okay, big guy, how 'bout some bracelets to compliment your new toes, eh?"

She reaches for her pair of manacles.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Oh, gods, Halgrak! What did you do?!" Carrie cries out, covering her mouth in both horror and disgust, "C'mon, man. Don't go gettin' yourself sick doin' that. You could probably get a cleric to get your toes back on once we get outta here!"

But Trevor's absurd call snaps her out of it, "Uh, hold him down? Yeah, that ain't happenin'."